Hike Description:

The kiosk at the parking lot contains a trail map showing the existing and planned trails. From the kiosk, follow the unmarked gravel path veering left towards the boardwalk. The boardwalk spans King’s Creek to a viewing platform with interpretive signs explaining the bird migration route over this area and the history of the capped landfill visible ahead.

Continuing on, keep left at the end of the boardwalk. The trail now alternates between composite boardwalks and gravel paths through wooded wetlands. At the .4 mile mark, when another boardwalk ends, turn right on the gravel path where an unmarked dirt road comes in from the left.

In another tenth of a mile, turn left on a short side trail that leads to an interpretive sign about the glacial erratics found in the area. Retrace and continue left on the main gravel path.

At .65 mile into the hike, the boardwalk continues straight at an intersection but turn left here on the boardwalk with handrails towards the landfill. At the end of this boardwalk, turn right and follow the split rail fence with the landfill on your left. Although there is no sign at this intersection, turning left on landfill property is prohibited. Follow the split rail fence to the end where an observation deck circles around with views of salt marshes and the Rahway River. Binoculars will come in handy as you are sure to find a wide variety of birds in this area.

Retrace back to the end of the split rail fence, turn left on the boardwalk with the handrail, then left on the boardwalk you first arrived on. A short distance ahead at a gravel intersection with the parking lot in sight, turn left and loop around back to your car.

Turn By Turn Description:

[ 0.00] From the kiosk veer left on the gravel path towards the boardwalk
[ 0.15] Keep left at end of boardwalk
[ 0.40] At the end of the boardwalk, veer right on gravel path when dirt road goes left
[ 0.50] Keep left at fork to interpretive sign; retrace
[ 0.55] Left on gravel road coming off trail to interpretive sign
[ 0.65] Turn left on boardwalk towards landfill
[ 0.70] At end of boardwalk turn right along split rail fence (no sign but left on dirt road is not allowed)
[ 0.80] Observation deck at end; circle around and retrace
[ 0.95] At end of split rail fence, turn left on boardwalk when off limits dirt road goes straight
[ 1.00] At T-intersection turn left on boardwalk
[ 1.10] At intersection turn left on boardwalk
[ 1.15] At intersection turn left on gravel path when right goes to parking lot
[ 1.25] Back at parking lot

Prepare For Your Hike

Hike Checklist:

Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.

The Essentials

Hiking Shoes or Boots

Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.

Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.

Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.

Sunscreen and insect repellent

Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.

Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.

Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.

First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.

Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life.

Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.

Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.

Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)

Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.

Let's Go

Directions to Trailhead :

From Routes 1&9 in Linden, turn into Linden Plaza at the stop light. Linden Plaza (see Location Tab above) contains Sears, Aldi’s, and Wal-Mart along with several other stores. Just past Sears at the fork, veer right and continue through an industrial area to a T-intersection at Lower Road. Turn right on Lower Road. Turn left at the first street, Range Road, with Cooper Electric on the corner. Follow Range Road for under half mile, almost to the end. Parking is on the left just before animal control and the animal shelter.